Consultancy: WASH Financing in Eastern and Southern Africa, (ESARO), Nairobi Kenya

The main objectives of this assignment are to: (i) develop four detailed country level assessments of WASH financing; and (ii) produce a report on the state of current and future WASH financing in ESAR.

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Background and Justification 

UNICEF’s Eastern and Southern Africa Regional Office (ESARO) is seeking a consultant to assess the state of financing of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in the Eastern and Southern Africa region (ESAR). This consultancy aims to fill a critical void of evidence in the region by producing the first-ever publication that covers the broad scope of WASH financing issues in a single document. The study will look at all aspects of WASH financing, including the overarching sector context, government financing, donor financing, household financing, the quality and equity of financing, the financial gap and financing options. This will involve both primary and secondary data collection efforts, including country visits, to put together the most comprehensive picture possible. Ultimately the findings and core recommendations will bolster planned advocacy activities at the country level with Budget and Finance Departments in government ministries that are responsible for delivering WASH services so that all children have access to quality WASH services. 

Objectives and Scope of Work 

The main objectives of this assignment are to: (i) develop four detailed country level assessments of WASH financing; and (ii) produce a report on the state of current and future WASH financing in ESAR.

The assignment will begin with a draft inception report. This will include a comprehensive review of existing data on WASH financing from governments, donors and households – e.g. the UN-Water Global Analysis and Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking-Water (GLAAS), the World Health Organization’s (WHO) TrackFin, Government Spending Watch, UNICEF’s WASH budget briefs, OECD-Development Assistance Committee Creditor Reporting System, Public Expenditure Reviews (PERs), Public Expenditure Tracking Surveys (PETS) and other country-level studies – as well as a detailed description of the methodology (including report structures) and proposed work plan.

It will then produce four case studies. This will involve data collection missions to countries selected by UNICEF in ESAR (countries to be decided). The production of analytical and advocacy products will benefit the respective countries, but these deep dive assessment are also expected to serve as key inputs into the regional report to complement.

Lastly, the assignment will develop a regional report. An initial structure is presented in Box 1 to facilitate discussions around the scope and content. The analysis will rely on compiling and analysing information from various sources (as earlier identified), which will be complemented by the detailed information collected during the field work. For information on the financial gap and financing options, the consultant will build on existing literature as well as the cost and financing gap tool developed by UNICEF and the World Bank and implemented through Sanitation and Water for All. A technical review committee will be established within UNICEF to guide the content of the report and provide quality assurance as the various drafts are developed.

The consultant will be required to work independently and carry out all of the data compilation and analysis, literature reviews and development and writing of the content for the country and regional reports. She/he will also be expected to follow up with UNICEF country offices across ESAR to collect and validate information, as required.

Overall the work is expected to be carried out in 90 days over a nine month period. The performance will be assessed according to the quality, creativity and usefulness of the content produced, responsiveness to feedback throughout the process, and capacity to on time delivery. The main tasks and deliverables are summarized below.

Payment Schedule

Payments will be made in three (3) instalments upon completion of deliverables as described above.  

Desired competencies, technical background and experience

• Postgraduate qualification in Public Finance, Public Administration, Economics or similar field
• Minimum eight years relevant professional level experience in development related activities in the field
• Demonstrated experience in qualitative and quantitative research and analysis related to WASH financing is essential
• Proven expertise in conducting multi-country assessment projects
• Prior experience of working with UNICEF / in Eastern and Southern Africa region is an asset
• Experience of writing peer reviewed articles is an as asset
• Excellent English report writing skills and a track record of producing high quality reports
• Good networks in ESAR, especially on WASH budgeting and financing is essential
• Good understanding and sensitivity to ESAR contexts and cultures
• Availability over the period required
• Fluency in oral and particularly written English is essential

Administrative issues

The ESARO WASH section will provide access to information and country level contacts and will be accessible via email or in person throughout the contract period. Progress meetings will take place virtually or face-to-face at least once every month.

The consultant will be provided with office space, working materials, information resources and appropriate office equipment, including IT services, as required.

Tentative travel plans are shown in the table below, subject to revision after the inception phase.

All applications must included a financial proposal to carry out the deliverables. This must include travel cost , living expenses and any other misc expenses.

Conditions 

As per UNICEF DFAM policy, payment is made against approved deliverables. No advance payment is allowed unless in exceptional circumstances against bank guarantee, subject to a maximum of 30 per cent of the total contract value in cases where advance purchases, for example for supplies or travel, may be necessary. 

The consulting team selected will be governed by and subject to UNICEF’s General Terms and Conditions for institutional contracts. 

The consultant team will be expected to provide their own office space and equipment, although office space can be provided in ESARO on an ad-hoc basis when required.

UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.